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One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest TEACHER’S COPY
6. What does Bromden see the men do?
Life is making them swell up and get bigger.
7. In this Chapter, find a quotation which indicates that the men are different.
Answers will vary. Example: “These weren’t the same bunch of weak-knees from a nuthouse…”
8. What do you think is making McMurphy feel “tired” and “frantic” as the Chief describes
him in the above quotation?
“…a set of tail-lights going past lit up McMurphy’s face, and the windshield reflected an expression
that was allowed only because he figured it’d be too dark for anybody in the car to see,
dreadfully tired and strained and frantic, like there wasn’t enough time left for something he had
to do…”
Answers will vary. Example: McMurphy is trying to be jolly and find the fun in life despite his
desperate need to get out of the mental hospital. He is beginning to get tired from the battle and
frantic because he knows he cannot win. His actions in battling the Captain, the authorities,
the service station men, the reluctance of the patients, and especially nurse Ratched are not for
him, but for the other inmates. He must realize that despite winning frequently, he is losing and
is in danger of losing more.
9. Why do you think Kesey includes a description of McMurphy’s first sexual experience in
this section?
Answers will vary. Example: McMurphy is remembering what his life was like before he was
in the hospital and he is longing for those days of freedom. He also feels himself weakening, so
just like an old man reminisces about past glories, McMurphy relives his youthful antics.
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